Explore every episode of the podcast afterWord with Pastor Kent

In part two of our executive pastor series, Jeremy joins Matt and Kent to share his story—one that’s shaped not by dramatic turns, but by steady faith and quiet surrender.

Jeremy describes his early profession of faith as “boring,” but as the conversation unfolds, you’ll see how a life of subtle beginnings can still lead to deep conviction. From a childhood story that sparked belief to a mission trip moment he didn’t realize was shared with his future wife, Jeremy’s life is full of quiet providence.

He reflects on unexpected turns in his family story—twists they wouldn’t have written, but that the Lord used to draw them closer to Him. Through years of waiting, surprise blessings, and unplanned challenges, Jeremy and his wife learned to hold their plans loosely and trust God’s purposes.

You’ll also hear about his unlikely journey from operating heavy machinery to shepherding hearts in vocational ministry. Jeremy shares what it's like to carry the emotional weight of counseling others and how he avoids becoming overwhelmed by constantly placing burdens where they belong—back in the hands of the Lord.

This conversation touches on everything from construction sites to counseling centers, from theology degrees to bedtime stories. It’s a look into how a life of faithful service—whether in boots or a Bible—can be used powerfully by God.

Keywords

testimony, baptism, family, infertility, ministry, education, vocational ministry, counseling, ACBC, collaboration

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

01:15 Jeremy's Testimony and Baptism

05:00 Family Life and Infertility Journey

09:27 Education and Vocational Background

11:37 Transition to Vocational Ministry

16:32 Publishing and Counseling Ministry

18:55 ACBC Involvement and Training

25:47 Navigating Knowledge of Congregants' Lives

30:54 Collaboration Between Executive Pastors

Welcome to afterWord, an extended conversation about topics that matter, hosted by Kent Dresdow, senior pastor at NorthCreek Church. In this episode, Kent is joined by Jeremy Pray as they sit down with Matt Rehrer, one of NorthCreek’s executive pastors.

Matt and Jeremy currently share the role of executive pastor, and this episode focuses on Matt’s story. In the next episode, the conversation will turn to Jeremy.

In this episode, we sit down with Matt to hear his powerful story—one marked by early faith, deep sorrow, and profound grace.

Raised in the South and drawn to Christ at a young age, Matt shares how a personal struggle shaped his understanding of the gospel. But it was a life-altering event in his twenties—just after marriage and the start of a demanding professional journey—that tested everything. What followed was unimaginable loss... and unexpected preservation. In the midst of devastation, certain items were untouched—reminders that God was near, even there.

Matt opens up about the quiet strength that sustained him, the words that held him together, and the slow process of healing. He also reflects on the unique overlap between his calling in medicine and his role in ministry—how caring for the body has shaped his approach to caring for the soul.

You’ll also get a glimpse into his work as an author, where he brings biblical wisdom to real-world struggles like grief and sleeplessness.

This is part one of a special two-part conversation designed to help you get to know the executive pastors at NorthCreek Church. It’s a story of loss, healing, and hope—one that reminds us how God meets us in our deepest valleys.

afterWord, Podcast, NorthCreek Church, Kent Dresdow, Jeremy Pray, Matt Rehrer, Executive Pastor, Christianity, Faith, Testimony, Conversion, Baptism, Grief, Suffering, Family Tragedy, Loss, Car Accident, Psalm 73, God's Grace, Ministry, Medicine, Medical Ministry, Doctor, Emergency Room Doctor, Biblical Counseling, Caring for Soul and Body, Christian Writing, Redeeming Memory: How God Transforms Memories from a Heavy Burden to a Blessed Hope (Counsel for the Heart), Sleep, Sleepless, Biblical Worldview, Christian Living, Pastoral Ministry, Wisdom

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

01:04 Matt's Journey to Christ

03:36 Family and Personal Life

04:05 Tragedy and Transformation

14:21 Education and Medical Background

19:19 The Intersection of Medicine and Ministry

28:01 Writing and Future Projects

The afterWord podcast exists to carry biblical conversations beyond the pulpit and classroom. Hosted by NorthCreek Church in Walnut Creek, CA, the podcast offers a space to reflect on sermons, theology, and interviews with guest speakers—bringing those insights to a wider audience for deeper, ongoing engagement. Regularly featuring Kent Dresdow, NorthCreek’s lead pastor, afterWord invites listeners into thoughtful, Christ-centered discussions rooted in Scripture and shaped by the life of the local church.